President Trump plans to revoke temporary legal status for 240,000 Ukrainians amidst a feud with Ukraine’s president, aligning with broader deportation initiatives affecting over 1.8 million migrants. The policy shift could reverse recent efforts to assist Ukrainian refugees and further escalate U.S. immigration tensions.
President Donald Trump plans to revoke temporary legal status for approximately 240,000 Ukrainians who fled Russia’s invasion, as reported by Reuters. This revocation is anticipated to occur as early as April and may lead to deportation, reflecting an ongoing feud between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, amid Trump’s push to increase deportations.
The potential revocation ties into a broader initiative by the Trump administration aimed at terminating temporary legal status for over 1.8 million migrants granted entry into the U.S. under humanitarian parole programs established by President Joe Biden. Despite inquiries, neither the White House nor the Ukrainian embassy in Washington provided immediate comments.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) allows U.S. entry for nationals unable to return safely due to conflicts or disasters. DHS can designate a country for TPS during crises; this designation was first awarded to Ukraine in March 2022 by then-Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and prolonged until October 2026 earlier this year.
In addition to Ukrainians, Trump’s executive order requests the termination of all categorical parole programs, indicating potential revocation for migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, which could impact over 530,000 individuals. Additionally, approximately 77,000 Afghans under similar programs are also at risk of losing their legal status.
This proposed revocation would reverse Biden’s initiatives aimed at welcoming Ukrainian refugees, notably the “Uniting for Ukraine” program designed to assist those affected by Russia’s aggression. Homeland Security emphasized that this program intends to provide a safe haven for those confronting significant tragedy due to the conflict in Ukraine. Last month, the Trump administration proclaimed it was engaged in the largest deportation effort in U.S. history.
The impending policy shift is also reflective of the fraught relationship between Trump and Zelenskyy. Their recent Oval Office meeting was contentious, with Trump and Vice President JD Vance accusing Zelenskyy of disrespect as he resisted suggestions of negotiating peace with Putin. Previously, Trump labeled Zelenskyy a “dictator,” although he later seemed to retract this characterization.
In summary, President Trump is poised to revoke temporary legal status for 240,000 Ukrainians, signaling a stark shift from current U.S. policies aimed at aiding war-displaced individuals. This decision aligns with broader changes targeting humanitarian parole programs, potentially affecting over 1.8 million migrants. The situation also reflects ongoing tensions between Trump and Zelenskyy amid discourse on U.S. immigration and deportation strategies.
Original Source: www.forbes.com
